Lilly

“London, has Lilly come looking yet this week?”

I sigh. “No, Aesop. I’m sorry.”

The poor boy tears up, slouching back in his chair and covering his face in his hands. No matter how many years he stays, he never looks any older than the day he arrived. His hair doesn’t grow, his skin doesn’t pale, and he certainly doesn’t act any different from a 12 year old. 

“She hasn’t come to look in so long, London. Do you think she gave up on me?”

In the corner of the room, Vulpis mumbles in his sleep.

“I don’t think it’s that, dear. I think she’s just been very busy recently. She has a newborn to look after, remember?”

“So she just doesn’t have time for me anymore.”

“Now, I never said that.”

Aesop swallows, sitting up and pulling out something from his pocket. Something old, and something made up.

“What did you say she named them?”

“Her oldest is Harry, he’s about 4 years old now. The middle child is Tori and the baby is named Bella.”

He stares at his little trinket, blinks a few times. 

“Bella.”

In his hands is a simple, roughed up doll, with long black hair and a smiling face and kind eyes. He fashioned it after his beloved older sister, Lilly.

He charishes the odd thing to death. 

“London, do you ever visit the other people stuck in here? Do you think maybe I could meet them some time?”

“No, I don’t visit them. And no. you cant see them.”

“Why don’t you ever visit the others?”

“They never asked me to.”

Author's Note

My motivation for writing is to build on stories that I've been making up for years, while also improving my style and ability. Reviews are welcome and appreciated greatly, as long as they are constructive. Please be mindful of how you word your replies, and please remember that anyone can see your reviews. I would really prefer for this to remain a space of encouragement and creativity. Thank you!